Senior Center’s 40th Birthday
By Elizabeth Furstenau
The town’s senior center will be celebrating its 40th birthday this fall.
Back in 1985, Joyce Sloan established a center for seniors in town. Sloan decided to do this because she knew her mom enjoyed going to the center in Plainview. She did not want her mom or others to have to travel. After careful consideration, she opened Pierce’s first center on Main Street.
When the center first opened, it was extremely busy. They held Halloween parties, had homecoming floats, and much more. As the years went on, their population became busier due to still working and other factors. Currently, the center is not very busy, yet its popularity has not dwindled.
Jane Lindsay is not a worker at the center, but more of a volunteer. She retired after being a social worker for individuals with developmental disabilities. Over the years, she grew to love working with seniors.
“I needed more volunteer activities, and I worked in Norfolk,” Lindsay says. “I just wanted to give back to the community of Pierce, and I thought this was going to be a good way.”
The senior center has essentially become a place for the seniors to socialize. They have many activities at the center, including chair yoga, card games, puzzles, and more.
“I have worked here for two years,” Fancy Moore, senior center manager, states. “I cook, and I did not plan on working as a manager, but it just kind of happened.”
Moore brings a lot of laughs and jokes to the center. She is one of many who help with everything at the center. She is a big part of the birthday party planning.
For the party, they plan on having entertainment such as a musical group. They will have a birthday cake, a silent auction, and door prizes. Moore also claims that they will have “some 40 years ago, trivia-type stuff.” They will be offering a meal, and mostly reminisce about the past 40 years. The supper will be a free-will donation for those who choose. This will also act as a fundraiser for the center to stay another 40 years.
All alumni, community, and current members have been invited to join the party. An invitation has also been placed in the Pierce Leader.
